Tourists Won't Stop Swimming in Rome's Fountains

Astor Pictures/Photofest

Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain is great for sightseeing, great for selfies, and—if you're Fendi—great for fashion shows.

But it's less great for going swimming.

Two tourists from California were fined €450—about $500—each after Italian authorities caught them reenacting that famed scene from Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

The two are only the latest visitors to take a dip in Rome’s finest fountains. Visitors from around the world have been dipping into these centuries-old masterpieces for ages.

Related: Rome Travel Guide

More recently, in February, a tourist skinny dipped in another of Rome’s most popular fountains, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.

And locals aren't always on their best behavior, either: A trio of young Italian girls turned the Piazza del Popolo into their own personal swimming pool earlier this month.

Related: Four Secrets of the Trevi Fountain

If you don't want an expensive and embarrassing ticket as a souvenir, please refrain from splashing around ancient monuments. Especially without pants.

That is, unless getting added to the list of the worst tourists ever is on your bucket list.

Melanie Lieberman is the Assistant Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn.